There were several pre-conference trips in Huntsville that were offered. I immediately jumped at the chance to learn more about Huntsville, a city that most people associate with the Space and Rocket Center. But there is so much more to Huntsville than rocket science.

Huntsville Ghost Walk

One of the excursions was for a ghost walk. It was lead by Jackie Reeves of Avalon Tours. In addition to being a tour guide, Jackie is the author of Wicked North Alabama (and several other books). She took us through Huntsville and told us stories about Huntsville’s past and pointed out homes and buildings that are reported to be haunted.

Did I see any ghosts? Not on this tour, but a couple of dogs that were on the tour with us did act peculiar at a couple of stops. Perhaps they were able to sense something supernatural.

Twickenham District Guided Walking Tour

The Huntsville CVB conducts walking tours of Huntsville, too. We TBEXers were taken on a guided tour of the Twickenham Historic District and learned a lot about Huntsville’s history and its early well-known residents. Did you know that Huntsville was founded in 1805 and named after John Hunt and that almost two decades later, the State of Alabama’s constitution was signed making Alabama the 22nd state in the United States?

Among the many beautiful antebellum homes in Huntsville is the Weeden House Museum. Built in 1819, it became the home to Maria Howard Weeden (1846 – 1905).

Howard, as she was known, was a gifted artist who cared deeply about the slaves in her life. Her paintings – often made with a paint brush with just a few bristles – are absolutely unbelievable and are on display in the house.

Admission to The Weeden House is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Public tours are Wednesday – Saturday from 10:30 – 11:30.

Getting Around In Style

We rode in style to the Alpha-Hudson Institute, thanks to Party Life Bus. We were kept cool inside the roomy cabin and entranced by the neon lights. Yes, that’s a pole in the middle and no – nobody used it for dancing. (Though you can rent the bus and use the pole for dancing if you’d like!)

It was at the Alpha-Hudson Institute that we were treated to a special taste of Huntsville sampling some of the “good eats” and beer. Huntsville enjoys a vibrant beer scene, thanks in large part to the organization, Free The Hops. The organization has worked hard over the past several years to bring the highest quality beers in the world to Alabama.

In addition to all of that, the Space and Rocket Center knows how to host parties. Inside the Davidson Center for Exploration, we were treated to delicious German fare underneath the Saturn V rocket.

The Space and Rocket Center is open 9 am until 5 pm, 7 days a week. (It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.) Click here for current admission rates.

Unfortunately, we had several rain showers during the conference so I didn’t bring my camera. I would have loved to have gotten some great shots at our dinner at AM Booth’s Lumberyard where we sampled some shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and other tasty dishes while some members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians danced. I also missed out on some pictures at Redstone Arsenal enjoying activities put on by the MWR thanks to a nice deluge. That’s a good excuse to go back, don’t you think?

What are your favorite things to do in Huntsville? Do you have a favorite restaurant or two?